EFFEXOR XR Reviews (VENLAFAXINE HYDROCHLORIDE)

Average Rating: 3.0 (2225 Ratings)

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 ANTIDEPRESSANTS

 Type: Rx Drug

  

EFFEXOR XR  (VENLAFAXINE HYDROCHLORIDE):  Venlafaxine is used to treat depression, anxiety, panic attacks, and social anxiety disorder (social phobia). It may improve your mood and energy level and may help restore your interest in daily living. It may also decrease fear, anxiety, unwanted thoughts, and the number of panic attacks. Venlafaxine is known as a serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (SNRI). It works by helping to restore the balance of certain natural substances (serotonin and norepinephrine) in the brain.   FDA Approval Date: 1997-10-20 (Sources: U.S. Centers for Medicare Services, FDA)

  

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Key to Ratings: 1=LOW (I would not recommend taking this medicine.)
5=HIGH (this medicine cured me or helped me a great deal.)

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More on EFFEXOR XR: Reviews Summary  |  Drug Safety Information

RATING  REASONSIDE EFFECTS FOR EFFEXOR XRCOMMENTSSEXAGEDURATION/
DOSAGE
DATE ADDED
 
 1  I was depressed and anxiety My mother wanted to send me to rehab because i looked like i was on serious drugs. because i was having epic withdrawls ive been having withdrawls for a few months now not knowing that i was. i was on 37mg and then a a week or so they made it 70mg. and well i switched doctors and when my paper work was transfered it showed that i was on the 37 and not the 70 that ive been taking for a good 4 months. so they switched it to the 37 unaware and i was 17 i really didnt see how it was a problem i wasnt told about the side effects and how long it takes to even try to get off this drug. and honestly i had no idea what had been going on with my body and it scared me. like i now have insomnia have had it since around christmas and well i say up for days.i lost around 30 pounds cause i didnt eat and when i did i would puke it up. started having anxiety attacks to wear my body would shake so bad. and because i would be up i started to see things. and i couldnt controle my mood at all. what scared me the most is that my father is skitzofrenic. and i honestly thought i was losing my mind i couldnt remember things example i would text someone on my phone. they text back and i would have to look at what i said not even a minute after i sent it cause i couldnt remember what i put.like on top of all that bull shit i wasnt sleeping for days like i mean 4 to 5 days i lost my mind. it was horrible. and like i went go back to my doctor and told her what was going on and she said it was some other thing and gave me meds for that.just more meds.at that point i honestly didnt care anymore. F 18 5 months
75 2X day
2/11/2010
 3  ptsd/anxiety/depression It made me really really drowsy It worked to quell the anxiety but I couldn't handle the drowsiness. I would sleep for 14-18 hours a day. It worked miracles for two of my friends with no side-effects. I think it's just a matter of finding what works for you. F 29 3 months
37,5 1X day
2/10/2010
 5  GAD, Panic Attacks Withdrawal.... O-M-G So I've been on Effexor along with Klonopin for almost a year now and I have to say this compbination has helped a great deal. My anxiety is actually in "remission" now. I will say however that I had 2 days of hell when my company changed insurance programs and I couldn't get my script filled in time. Withdrawal is not good, repeat, not good. If you decide you don't like this drug, talk to your doctor and go off it slowly. F 34 1 years
75 mg 1X day
2/8/2010
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 3  major depression While taking this in conjunction with Wellbutrin (to counter fatigue caused by effexor XR) I felt much better: I don't think that I remember ever in my life having such a long time without having a conscious death wish, the lack of libido was worth the lack of suicidal thinking. However, due to job loss, I could no longer afford these meds. Withdrawal is very bad with the brain zaps and the constant feelings of being seriously ill. I spent all my free time in bed even though I was only just weaning off of the Effexor. I have begun to recover from the withdrawal symptoms now (about 2 weeks after effexor stopped). But, now the crying has begun. While on the effexor I was emotionally numb, which was, (I thought), great, after having experienced lifelong major depression. Now, however, since I've had to stop the meds, I have been suddenly hit with all the griefs (such as the death of my best friend) that I did not feel while on the meds. It feels like a tidal wave has knocked me down and I am now drowning in my own tears. Not surprisingly, I have returned to being the girl who wished she had never been born. F 56 6 days
150mg 1X day
2/7/2010
 5  Post Partum Depression None. Happiness. Level Mood. Amazing! Took for Post Partum Depression and noticed I no longer had severe PMS, so I kept taking it. Love the lack of mood swings and I am always pretty happy. Less on edge. Calmer. Nicer, and I don't obsess on things. Really has given me a much more positive attitude. I'll never quit taking it unless someone makes me. Life is good on Effexor XR! F 41 11 years
37.5 1X day
2/5/2010
 1  depression, anxiety low libido, difficulty reaching orgasm, weight gain, gas, constipation, bloating, hemorrhoids, excessive sweating, dizziness, overly tired, strange dreams, talking in my sleep Unless your depression and/or anxiety is debilitating, I do NOT recommend this (or any other anti-depressant for that matter). This is especially true for anyone diagnosed with Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) or other GI issues. These pills wreck havoc on your digestive system. I was up to 150 mg for about 4 months, then went down to 75 mg because the vast list of side effects was negating any benefits I had gained. For a couple weeks while on the 150 mg, I felt more mentally balanced, but also felt like I’d need to keep upping the dose, which I didn’t want to do. I’ve been sober for 14 years and have an addictive nature so upping the dose to infinity is not a good idea. My doctor wanted me to go off slowly, but since being on these pills has destroyed my relationship (not to mention my sanity), I was on 75 mg for two weeks then just went off. I’ve been off for 6 days now and I can’t believe this drug is legal. The dizziness and nausea seems like it’ll never stop. Am trying supplements and motion sickness pills, but they don’t seem to be helping. I’m just trying to ride it out. Good news is, my digestion seems to be getting back on track… as does my ability to orgasm :) F 38 5 months
1/30/2010
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 4  Recurrent Major Depression weight gain, reduced sex drive I have taken a high dose (600 mg) for 10 yrs. My doctor will not go any higher, although I would in a minute. We have added meds to the effexor with varying results. Overall though, the effexor has been a life saver. F 52 10 years
1/28/2010
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 3  Anxiety, Depression, OCD Weight gain despite being a very healthy person, a little more tired than usual This medicine helps me tremendously. It cuts down on my anxiety and makes me a lot more patient and upbeat. That being said, holy "COW" I can't take the weight gain. I've been off and on this medication 4 times over the past decade. (And despite what everyone says, if you taper really slowly, the withdrawal isn't that bad.) Every time I go on the medicine, I gain about 25 lbs. I go off it, and I lose it within 6 months. Then I go back on and boom, and the weight comes back again. There is no doubt in my mind that this drug slows down my metabolism. I'm normally a size 6 and I'm tall so that's pretty thin. I am a size 10 or 12 on this medication. It's so frustrating because otherwise it helps me tremendously. I wish they would come up with a medicine that helps and doesn't turn me into a moose. F 35 9 years
1/28/2010
 2  anxiety burning joint pain - no interest in anything anymore Did work for anxiety, but at a very steep price - severe joint pain and lack of interest in anything once enjoyed. Very difficult to get off of at the end - must taper very carefully. M 40 6 months
1/26/2010
 1   complete loss of sex drive and all emotions! took a med called cyproheptadine to help with wat effexor did to me and it helped! i had to take the cyproheeptadine 2-3 times a day for about 2 weeks for it to help tho M 22 1 months
1/26/2010
 3  gad weight gain increased pressure behind my eyes F 45 395 days
1/24/2010
 3  clinical depression After 16 years of anti-depressants it was time to stop. There comes the time in one's life when you realize you need to get on with your life and figure it out. This was the time. After a while it doesn't matter which pill you take--they're all bad for you and your body. They become habitual and you can't imagine what your life will be like if you don't take your meds. Don't worry, walk a lot and enjoy the world around you; your life will be just fine and your liver and kidneys will thank you. You cannot stop abruptly; weaning slowly is the key until your finally down to 37.5 every other day for a month and then you can finally STOP. And stop the madness that comes from taking these terrible drugs. We need to take control of our lives without these meds. It takes time and patience but it must be done. F 63 6 years
1/24/2010
 4  Anxiety / Major Depression First 3 weeks were awful. I had pretty much every side effect, dizziness, extreme nausea, my gag reflex was in overdrive i couldnt brush my teeth some days, sweating, crazy dreams, no sex drive etc. but on the plus side my anxiety had gone. Anxiety is pretty much gone, and its like i woke up from depression like it was a bad dream. Im more motivated, went from doing NOTHING And hardly leaving house to reenrolling in university and searching for a job. Side affects all come back back even if im like 2 hours late in taking a dose which is bad but my fault. Mysex drive is still pretty low and i have difficutly having orgasms during sex which sucks but all in all im pretty happy. F 22 2 months
1/22/2010
 1  Depression/ While taking it - emotional detachment, loss of sex drive, memory loss.weight gain, moody Withdrawals - fogginess, brain zaps, crying at the slightest thing, insomnia, fatique, basically feel like s**t!! Have just come off 225mg effexor (5years) and I am going through PURE HELL. The Psychiatrist call it - Sideeffexr - need I say more! Withdrawal is hidious and this drug should never be given to unsuspecting people without the full knowledge that the withdrawals are not worth it. F 51 5 days
1/22/2010
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 3  Anxiety, depression, rage fits Complete loss of sex drive, hyposomnia (sleeping 14-18 hours a day), SEVERE withdrawal symptoms (effexor shocks) if taken only a few hours late, foggy memory, diarrhea when not taken on a full stomach I've had chronic depression my entire life, which became coupled with black-out rages around age 14. Initially (after 4-6 wks) the medicine helped level out my violent (literally) mood swings as well as decrease suicidal thoughts. However, my doctor & I kept increasing the dosage (150 mg became the cap, & I'm about 100 lbs) until I essentially became so sedated that virtually all I did for the past 2 yrs was sleep. I became apathetic & completely lost my sex drive, which eventually ended my 5 yr relationship (we didn't have sex for 2.5 years). Getting off the medicine was very hard - I had too much withdrawal sickness on just lowering the dosage, so had to break open the capsules & count out the beads for about 3 months (the only way it was possible to get off). I had a dramatic increase in energy almost immediately after getting off Effexor, but after being drug-free for about 3 months & feeling just as bad as I did before I started the medicine, am now trying Wellbutrin instead. I did not have any counseling while on Effexor, but I would recommend it with any medication like this, as I feel like all I did was live in a drug-induced denial for the past 4 yrs. If you're thinking about starting this medicine, keep in mind that all antidepressants have bad side effects as well as benefits - it's up to you to try for yourself & figure out if it's worth it. F 19 4 years
1/16/2010
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 5  Depression, anxiety, insomnia. Increased anxiety and difficulty sleeping on higher doses Effexor XR has been a great drug for me; and I have tried almost all of them. It gives me energy during the day with very minimal side effects. Great ability to concentrate. There absolutely is NOT a side effect of weight gain. I have been on this in the past for many years. I was taken off Depakote and put back on Effexor 6 months ago. What a great decision! I have more energy, don't feel sluggish, and my weight was great until I was put on Seroquel to help with sleeping. Seroquel will make you gain weight! Just went off that. I did have to decrease my Effexor from 150mg/day to 75 mg/day because it did seem to increase my anxiety and really affect my ability to fall asleep. I like the lower dose much better. I also take Clonopin 1.5 mg/day, and Ambien 12.5 mg to sleep. F 43 6 months
1/15/2010
 1  depression Impotence, anxiety memory loss No good for dick. Won't get stiff. Make nervous. Can't remember anything. M 58 2 weeks
1/12/2010
 3  Depression/Anxiety Mood Swings nausea, constant headaches, tired, dreams, possible tremor or seizure episode when trying to fall asleep or waking up I just started this medication 4 days ago. I am on the lowest dose, but in another week go to 75mg a day. The side effects aren't awful for me but I am worried about possibly having a seizure at night. I was dreaming the other night and woke up shaking all over, this is per my husband. I thought I just jolted awake from the dream, but he said I woke him up and was shaking all over. I had just been awake so it seems to be right when I am almost asleep. I haven't contacted my doctor because I am not 100% that is was a seizure and I want to keep trying to take this to see if it works for me. I have really found it difficult to exercise also because I have headaches and they are worse when I exercise. F 27 4 days
1/11/2010
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 1  Depression and anxiety The side effects were insomnia, night sweats, dizziness, headaches, palpitations and lower right abdominal pain. I am now trying to cut back and on top of all those symptoms I am very itchy, shaky and miserable. I was prescribed 75 mg three in the morning and three at night for a total of 450 mg. Recently found out that is above the FDA recommended dosage. No wonder I suffered so many side effects. Have not slept the whole time I have been on the medication. I am trying to cut the dosage down so I can get off the medication. Make sure you are not prescibed more then you should be taking. I am suffering and should of not trusted the NP who prescribed the pills without first checking it out. F 40 8 months
1/11/2010
 1  depression emotional numbness, constipation, blurred vision; vivid, strange nightmares that intrude into my days, tinnitus, weight gain despite exercising 1+ hours a day. very close friends have gone thru tragic events in the last 4 wks. Pastor's 4 y/o grandson died of cancer, they weren't allowed by the mother to see him for ~ 2 years before the cancer. college roommate lost 4 cowrkers/police officers shot and killed at a coffee shop, and another she worked with and her husband trained a couple weeks later. Very close friend who lost her husband 2 yrs ago when his truck hit ice and went off a cliff in the rockies, her son was shot and killed by police in the back 4-5 times, leaving a 21 y/o sister and a 20 y/o pregnant girlfriend. They were a dear couple. And I have no feeling, I am normally a very compassionate/empathetic person. I feel like I am broken. I can't wait to get off of it, but went through side effects from Paxil, so not looking forward to these w/drawals, but glad to know that emotional numbness is a side effects. May all my side effects resolve F 45 3 months
1/7/2010

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